Editing Gordian III (section)

==Reign==
[[File:Gordian III Antoninianus Virtus 1.jpg|alt=silver antoninianus of Gordian III|left|thumb|308x308px|Silver Antoninianus of Gordian III, mint of Rome, 238–239 AD; Obverse: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; Reverse: VIRTVS AVG, Virtus standing facing in military dress, head left, with shield and spear; Reference: RIC 6, RSC 381]]
Due to Gordian's age, the imperial government was surrendered to the aristocratic families, who controlled the affairs of Rome through the Senate.{{sfn|Potter|2004|p=171}} In 240, [[Sabinian (proconsul)|Sabinianus]] revolted in the African province, but he was quickly defeated.{{sfn|Wilhite|2007|p=31}} In 241, Gordian was married to [[Tranquillina|Furia Sabinia Tranquillina]],{{sfn|Townsend|1934|p=84}} daughter of the newly appointed [[praetorian prefect]], [[Gaius Furius Sabinius Aquila Timesitheus|Timesitheus]]. As chief of the Praetorian Guard and father-in-law of the Emperor, Timesitheus quickly became the ''de facto'' ruler of the Roman Empire.{{sfn|Mennen|2011|p=34}}

During Gordian's reign there were severe [[earthquake]]s, so severe that cities fell into the ground along with their inhabitants.{{sfn|Boin|2018|p=61}} In response to these earthquakes Gordian consulted the ''[[Sibylline Books]]''.{{sfn|Boin|2018|p=61}}

By the 3rd century, the Roman frontiers weakened against the Germanic tribes across the [[Rhine]] and [[Danube]], and the [[Sassanid Empire]] across the [[Euphrates]] increased its own attacks. When the Sasanians under [[Shapur I]] invaded [[Mesopotamia]], the young emperor opened the doors of the [[Temple of Janus (Roman Forum)|Temple of Janus]] for the last time in Roman history, and sent a large army to the East. The [[Sassanids]] were driven back over the Euphrates and defeated in the [[Battle of Resaena]] (243).{{sfn|Tucker|2010|p=147}} The campaign was a success and Gordian, who had joined the army, was planning an invasion of the enemy's territory, when his father-in-law died in unclear circumstances.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}} Without Timesitheus, the campaign, and the Emperor's security, were at risk. Due to the campaign's success, Gordian boasted about his achievements to the Senate.{{sfn|Boin|2018|p=61}} 
{{Year of Six Emperors}} 
[[Gaius Julius Priscus]] and, later on, his own brother Marcus Julius Philippus, also known as [[Philip the Arab]], stepped in at this moment as the new Praetorian Prefects.{{sfn|Potter|2004|p=236}} Gordian would then start a second campaign. Around February 244,{{efn|Gordian is last mentioned in an Egyptian inscription dated 26 February; Philip is first attested in a law of the ''[[Codex Justinianus]]'' dated 14 March. Taking into account travel time from [[Roman Syria|Syria]] to Rome, it's likely that Gordian died in late January or early February, with news of his death arriving in Rome in late February or early March.<ref name=Peachin/><ref name=Burgess/>}} the Sasanians fought back fiercely to halt the Roman advance to [[Ctesiphon]].

The exact fate of Gordian is unclear, but he was most likely killed at the [[Battle of Misiche]]. [[Shapur I's inscription at the Ka'ba-ye Zartosht|An inscription]] erected by Shapur claims that a battle near modern [[Fallujah]] (Iraq) resulted in a major Roman defeat and the death of Gordian III,{{sfn|Brosius|2006|p=144}} after which Philip bought peace for 500,000 [[dinar]]s.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2017}}  Roman sources claim that the soldiers proclaimed Philip emperor, that he made peace with Shapur on "shameful" terms, and that Gordian died as the Roman forces departed for the west.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2017}} [[Zonaras]] says that Gordian died after falling from his horse during a battle.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2017}} One view holds that Gordian died at Zaitha, murdered by his frustrated army, while the role of Philip is unknown.{{sfn|Potter|2004|pp=234,236}} Scholarly analyses suggest the Sasanian version, "while defective[,] is superior" to the Roman one, which provides no explanation for why the victorious Roman army had to make peace on disadvantageous terms.{{sfn|Shahbazi|2017}}

The deposition of Gordian's body is also a matter of controversy. According to [[David Stone Potter|David S. Potter]], Philip transferred the body of the deceased emperor to Rome and arranged for his deification.{{sfn|Potter|2004|p=238}} Edwell, Dodgeon, and Lieu state that Philip had Gordian buried at Zaitha after the campaign against the Sasanians had ended in failure.{{sfn|Edwell|2020}}{{sfn|Dodgeon|Lieu|1991|p=41}}